BCSSSD Pioneer Press
January 2016, Edition #14
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
Revised BCSSSD 2015-16 District Calendar
Letter from Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools
A letter from Dr. Nagy, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education
Dear BCSSSD Community,
Our first winter storm marks the halfway point of the school year. It is a great time to look back at our progress and look forward to positive changes for the remainder of the year, while having an eye on the future.
To this end, I invite you to visit my blog that was launched last week. I will attempt to capture items of interest each week and encourage parents to visit it. The blog may be accessed on the District website on the right of the page under the heading of Announcements. A visit to the blog will also give access to special education resources and applied positive psychology articles and links. Access to the resources can also be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.bcsssd.k12.nj.us/domain/310.
Based on recent planned changes to our website, pictures of each of our campuses will be located in the center of the page and any visitor to the webpage will be able to click on that picture of the campus and be immediately connected to the webpage for that campus. We hope that this will be considered a more user-friendly and convenient way to access the information desired. The changes are anticipated to take effect within the next few weeks.
As referenced in my blog for this past week, Bancroft at Burlington County is a valued partner, providing day habilitation and employment programs for eligible students ages 21 and older. Discussion about the transition process will now be incorporated as part of the Individual Education Plan (IEP). The most recent information may be found on our website providing some background information, admissions criteria, and valuable links.
My team has been busy over the past few months upgrading one of our two Family Living Center (FLC) rooms currently located on the Westampton campus. Beginning in September, the FLC room in the Elementary School will be relocated to another part of the campus so that our students, depending on their program, will have access to either of two FLC rooms.
My team has also identified a need for two classrooms that would be dedicated to students with behavioral and multiple disabilities, one room for grades 7-8 and the other, for grades 9-11. Though a work in progress with a target start date of September 2016, we anticipate these classrooms will be temporarily housed on the Westampton Campus, but ultimately will be moved to the alternative school campus. We believe these classes will provide districts and parents other options when looking at the optimum placement for their respective child.
I am also very proud to recognize the assistance of our Educational Services Unit (ESU) partnership on a number of levels, but particularly in the area of their support and assistance with the Assistive Technology Initiative noted in my blog. Substantial efforts are being made to identify students' communication and hearing needs where applicable. This initiative represents a significant shift as a school district to individualize and customize student learning and to position students to thrive. The effort is also being supported by the ESU staff on a weekly basis through the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Technical Clinic offered to support our teachers and related services staff with technical support. These efforts are also incorporated in the revised intake packet and for students who are currently entrusted to us.
Parents who have taken advantage of the wheelchair clinic each month will now have the option to have minor adjustments completed to their chairs at no cost to the parent, as a value-added service provided by one of our district's occupational therapists. The regular wheelchair clinic for all other services will remain the same.
Lastly, we value parents as partners with us in the education and care of their child, and therefore encourage parents to get involved with the school. To this end, at each IEP meeting, in addition to the intake packet for new students, we will encourage parents to consider registering for the School and Family Association (SFA). Meetings are held on the first Wednesday evening of each month, 7 p.m., in the Westampton Campus Media Center. These meetings provide a platform for parents to stay informed and engaged.
We appreciate the gift of your child and look forward to the continual growth and opportunities that our newest efforts will provide for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Nagy
Assistant Superintendent, Special Education
A Message from your Superintendent
Dear School Community:
The BCSSSD Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
There is much activity and important work under way in our BCSSSD school district:
- Refined and improved curriculum, instruction, assessment, and CST procedures to meet the individual needs of students
- Increased enrollment across our BCSSSD programs
- Thriving Alternative School
- New and growing Adult Day and Employment Program
- New County-wide Deaf and Hard of Hearing program
- Much energy and enthusiasm flowing throughout the organization
Your Board of Education and Superintendent look forward to a banner 2016 for BCSSSD. Enjoy this e-newsletter packed with important and interesting information about our schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Manno,
Superintendent of Schools
Attention Parents & Guardians: Parent Portal Letter and Parent Portal Form
BCIT/BCSSSD Board of Education Policies & Regulations
The following policies and regulations have been approved by the Board of Education. Please review and reference pertinent policies as applicable.
Policies/Regulations Exhibit #1 (These items are available on the website.) Revised
9541 Student Teachers/Interns
1st Reading
2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction R2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction R8500.1 Serv Safe
2nd Reading
8550 Outstanding Food Service Charges
R3224.1 Evaluation Rubric of Principals, Vice Principals and Assistant Principals
2nd Reading
2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction
R2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction
R8500.1 Serv Safe
Policies/Regulations (Exhibit #2) (These items are available on the website.) 1st Reading
3431.1 Family Leave (Revised) 4431.1 Family Leave (Revised) R5111 Admissions (Revised: Rubric) 9150 School Visitors
7440 School Security
Congratulations to our BCSSSD 2015-16 Teachers of the Year!
BCSSSD Lumberton:
Teacher of the Year: Ms. Heather Smith
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Mr. Mark Ruff
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Nurse Roseanne Rowe
BCSSSD Westampton:
Elementary Campus:
Teacher of the Year: Ms. Belle Shields
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Ms. Pat Niehaus
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Ms. Maureen Basehore
Middle School Campus
Teacher of the Year: Ms. Kelly Fletcher
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Mr. Ryan Streckenbein
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Ms. Elise Newman-Engber
High School Campus
Teacher of the Year: Ms. Helen Scherer
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Ms. Patricia Rolling
Educational Services Professional of the Year: Ms. Kimberly Scheetz
Burlington County Alternative School Monthly Accomplishments
Student accomplishments, recognition, awards, activities, assemblies, programs, etc.
- Parents and community members attended this month’s network night. The theme was “Adolescent Trends” and was presented by John Kriger, from Consulting, Inc..
- 18 students completed ASVAB testing on January 14, 2016.
- Christopher Hamilton was selected as the Middle School Student of the Month
- Quanasia Ruffin’s essay was selected as the winner of the “Who is My Hero?” essay contest.
- Ayanna Jones-Briggs was selected as the Citizen of the Month at BCAS. Ayanna is a friendly student who is very kind, caring, and compassionate.
- Student of the Month is Iyonna Damon. Iyonna is one of the top credit earners here at BCAS. She plans on taking a course at Rowan College at Burlington County this semester
Graduates:
- Charles Blair-Barnett of Lenape Regional High School District
- Makenzie Tous of Rancocas Valley Regional High School District
- Jared Grulke of Lenape Regional High School District
II. Employee accomplishments, recognition, awards, professional development, etc.
- Bobbie Downs attended the Burlington County Middle School Principals Roundtable
- Michelle Delaney was selected as the Staff Spotlight for the Middle School Monthly Newsletter
- Michelle Delaney completed her supervisor’s certificate program at Rowan University
BCAS February 2016 Information Session
Thursday, February 18, 2016
6 p.m.
Burlington County Alternative School
1000 Briggs Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ
RSVP: Melissa Manno via email: mmanno@bcsssd.k12.nj.us
A note from Nicole Margiotta
Dear BCSSSD Community,
Those of you who are on Facebook, please "like" our pages and visit them regularly; feel free to add comments on items. When referencing our "Sign Me A Story" series, please reference it with hashtag and written exactly like this (#SignMeAStory).
Burlington County Times article on January's "Sign Me A Story": http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/photos-stories-signed-for-hearing-impaired-at-burlington-county-library/collection_80a11f08-bbaf-11e5-a646-97fa88dbb421.html
Join us for our February "Sign Me A Story" event: Saturday, February 20, 2016, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library.
Here are the two Facebook links...
Thank you all for supporting our pages! Please pass the links along to anyone who might be interested!
Thank you,
Nicole Margiotta
Supervisor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Assistive Technology
Lumberton Campus "In the Loop" Newsletter
BCPDI Workshop Series
Click HERE for the Burlington County Professional Development Institute (BCPDI) online Workshop Series Brochure
BCSSSD Shop Spotlight: Floriculture
Mr. Fowler remembers gardening as a child along side his Grandmother in Ocean City, NJ. His parents built him a greenhouse and he worked for a garden center in high school. Mr. Fowler studied at Cumberland College and Rowan University receiving a Horticulture and Teaching degree. He learned the art of Floriculture, "management retail florist", managing a florist in West Collingwood for nine years, before closing the store and moving to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The St. Thomas store offered wholesale flowers and floral for weddings, cruises, and hotels. Mr. Fowler returned in 1994, and began teaching at BCSSSD.
Our students learn retail management, design skills, greenhouse, and outside landscaping horticulture. Mr. Fowler went on to explain, "some of our students leave our school with jobs in local garden centers and grocery store floral departments. Students are now working on hanging baskets and annual containers for sale to the public."
Mr. Fowler and his Assistant, Ms. Lori Cunnane, have worked together since 1994. Ms. Cunnane shares Mr. Fowler's passion for horticulture as well as the patience and expertise necessary to care and teach the art of floriculture.
"Humans consume; plants contribute," -Dave Fowler
--Laura Geltch
Annual Poster Presentation Research Symposium
https://www.smore.com/511pz-bcsssd-annual-research-symposium
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2016, 06:00 PM
BCSSSD Westampton, Main Gym, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060
Congratulations to Mrs. Pat Niehaus for winning the NJEA Teacher Assistant of the Year Award!
NJEA Publication will feature Mrs. Niehaus's story in their upcoming magazine!
A note from Tara Montague, SFA President
Our next SFA meeting is Wednesday, February 3, 7 p.m. in the Westampton Media Center. Mr. Jim Kilrain, Outreach Coordinator for the Occupational Training Center (OTC), will be presenting during this meeting. Mr. Kilrain will discuss OTC's vocational training programs for disabled adults (ages 18 and older).
Please visit our website for upcoming meeting dates and monthly meeting minutes:
Best wishes,
Tara Montague, SFA President
Peggy Dugan, SFA Vice-President.
BCSSSD Resource Fair
Event Details:
The BCSSSD Resource Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 6th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Burlington County Special Services School in Westampton.
You may arrive any time after 5:00 pm to set up your information. Please check-in at the registration table upon arrival and you will be directed to your table.
Each exhibitor will have one table and two folding chairs for your use during the fair. Exhibitors will need to supply your own tablecloth or organization banner. Due to the number of providers present there will not be room for any type of wall hanging or pull-up screens.
If you are unable to attend the fair please contact me as soon as possible. Event confirmation, parking instructions and set up information will be sent out in March to all registered exhibitors.
We are very grateful for your participation.
Tara Montague, Community Liaison, BAYADA Pediatrics
Have a question? Contact the organizer at tmontague@bayada.com
Wednesday, Apr 6, 2016, 06:00 PM
BCSSSD Westampton Campus, Main Gym, 20 Pioneer Blvd, Westampton, NJ, United States
"Paint With Me" Class displays original artistic creations
Moorestown house features the creations of its residents
"There are the striking photographs done by Geoffrey, who is on the staff at BCSSSD. Many of his photos carry a nature theme, and some are tender portraits of his daughter at various stages."
BCT article:
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/life-style/at-home/moorestown-house-features-the-creations-of-its-residents/article_bb42f9a6-aefd-11e5-a382-b31b6f2d7aad.htmlOur Pioneers show off their classroom skills in music, woodshop, and maintenance!
Check out our talented musicians on YouTube:
Do you wanna build a snowman? Faith, our preschool student, built her own snowman in Occupational Therapy!
Basketball on our Lumberton Campus
A picturesque Lumberton Campus full of opportunities for our students!
Elementary Students participate in a Positive Thinking Parade
Jump Start Store
Dear parents and staff,
Students will be provided with the opportunity to shop at the Jump Start Store two times per month this year. Sign-up will be done on a first come/first served basis, so please stop in to schedule your preferred shopping times.
We are in need of the following items:
- Household items
- Knick Knacks
- Clothing: blouses, shirts, coats, & belts
- Dishes
- Glasses
- Wallets
- Purses
- Silk flowers
- Candles
- Holiday Decorations
Thank you for your support!
-Mr. McHugh & Mr. Zielinski
BCSSSD Annual Reunion Dance: Friday, April 15, 2016
BCSSSD Annual Reunion Dance
RSVP:
(609) 261-5600, Ext. 5504
Questions?
Call Janice Strug, Ext. 5501
Friday, Apr 15, 2016, 06:30 PM
BCSSSD Westampton, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060
Parent Focus Group with Superintendent, Dr. Christopher Manno
April 2016 - date will be announced soon.
BCSSSD Parent Corner
Please share your story as a parent or guardian. What does the Burlington County Special Services School District mean to you and your family? How has your child benefited from attending BCSSSD?
Thank you for your time and consideration. --Laura Geltch
Do you have a story to share?
Our students and staff are unique and truly outstanding Burlington County community members. It would be my pleasure to share student, family, and parent stories with our school's community.
Please contact me if you would like to share your story.
Thank you,
Program & Community Coordinator
BCSSSD
Like us on Facebook!
BCSSSD School and Family Association (SFA)
https://www.facebook.com/BCSS.SFA?fref=ts
NEW PAGES:
Burlington County Deaf & Hard of Hearing-D/HH Education Initiative
ESU Augmentative Alternative Communication & Assistive Technology
Box Tops for Education
Thank you! - BCSSSD Staff
New Special Event Form!
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
Program and Community Coordinator
Burlington County Health Department Information: 2015-16 School-Aged Children Immunization Clinics
Letter from Burlington County Health Department:
Referral Form from Burlington County Health Department:
BCSSSD 2015-2016 School Calendar
Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency or inclement weather, staff members will be contacted via email, phone message, and text message. In addition, we will post a Special Alert Message on our website.
Staff Members, Help us Contact You.
Have you moved? Have you changed your phone number or email address? Please make sure to update your information with BCSSSD Personnel.
Students will be contacted using information stored in Genesis, our electronic student database. Parents should be reminded to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Any changes should be reported to the main office of the student's school.